Women"s World Cup semi-final: Ireland v England

Ireland have reverted to the same XV that upset holders New Zealand for their Women’s World Cup semi-final against England in Paris on Wednesday.

Philip Doyle’s side

shocked the four-time champions 17-14

in the pool stage.

Captain Katy Mclean returns for England, who make six changes to the team that

drew 13-13 with Canada.

Scrum-half La Toya Mason, wing Kay Wilson, hooker Victoria Fleetwood, lock Joanna McGilchrist and flanker Alexandra Matthews are also recalled.

Matthews, 21, who will win her 12th cap, is by far the least experienced of a starting side boasting 855 caps in all.

And with Marlie Packer filling the back row spot on the bench, there is no place for Heather Fisher in the 23-woman squad.

Fly-half Mclean reclaims her place from Ceri Large after being rested

for the 45-5 win over Spain

and only returning

to the bench

for the final Pool A match against Canada.

Number eight Sarah Hunter, who captained the side in Mclean’s absence, reverts to vice-captain.

England head coach Gary Street said: “Ceri Large has done a great job at fly-half for this tournament – but it is great to welcome back Katy, who is feeling fresh and ready to go.”

Street’s team advanced to the knockout stages as

the winners of Pool A

on points difference.

Ireland, meanwhile, won Pool B by

beating Kazakhstan 40-5,

a match in which they made 10 changes from the side that upset the Black Ferns.

Head coach Doyle said: “We’ve had a fantastic campaign so far and that has only come from hard work and dedication. We don’t intend for it to end here.”

The match at the Stade Jean Bouin, home of Stade Francais, is the first of the day’s semi-finals, with hosts France facing Canada at the same venue at 19:45 BST.

England:


Waterman (Bristol); Merchant (Worcester), Scarratt (Lichfield), Burford (Thurrock), Wilson (Bristol); Mclean (Darlington MP, capt), Mason (Wasps); Clark (Worcester), Fleetwood (Lichfield), Hemming (Bristol); Taylor (Darlington MP), McGilchrist (Wasps); Matthews (Richmond), Alphonsi (Saracens), Hunter (Lichfield).

Replacements: Croker, Essex, Allen (all Richmond), Keates, Large (Worcester), Packer (Wasps), Hunt (Lichfield).

Ireland:


Briggs (Munster); Baxter (Ulster), Cantwell (Richmond), Davitt (Ulster), Miller (Connacht); Stapleton (Leinster), Rosser (Leinster); Coghlan (Leinster, capt), Bourke (Munster), Egan (Leinster); Spence (Leinster), Reilly (Leinster); Fitzpatrick (Leinster), Molloy (Connacht), O’Brien (Munster).

Replacements: Lynch, Murphy (both Leinster), Hayes, Fleming, Guest (Munster), Muldoon (Bristol), Casey (Saracens).

Article source: http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/08/04/obrien-guest-starred-irish-rugby-side/

Women"s World Cup semi-final: Ireland v England